The Gamma Rhythm An Electrophysiological Measure of Neuronal Synchrony
Date of Award
2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Bulig, Alfred
Keywords
Neuroscience, Electroencphalography, Gamma Rhythm
Area of Concentration
Biological Psychology
Abstract
Recent brain research suggests widespread gamma wavelength neural activity (~40 Hz) has been strongly correlated with cognitive tasks pertaining to perceptual segmentation, mediating attention, sensory integration and object representation. Further evidence suggests that gamma-activity serves as a neurological substrate for facilitating awareness of objects in one�s surroundings. Musical experience demonstrably changes the brain connectivity and morphology in select regions related to auditory processes and sensorimotor representation, thus enhancing the comprehension and performance of music. The current study sought to test the impact of musical experience on evoked gamma band oscillations by comparing the relative strength between groups of musicians and non-musicians, during verbal and musical listening tasks. Statistical results indicated a non-significant relationship of gamma activity between during both verbal and musical tasks within the non-musicians (p = 1). The degree of increased gamma activation between tasks for musicians did not meet the criteria for statistical significance (p > 0.0625). Even so, this trend compliments prior findings in the literature. These data suggest the gamma rhythm is relatively more accentuated when utilized to mediate perception of complex auditory representations, such as music, in individuals with musical experience.
Recommended Citation
Countess, Julian, "The Gamma Rhythm An Electrophysiological Measure of Neuronal Synchrony" (2011). Theses & ETDs. 4366.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4366
Rights
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